Samar Muhareb is the Executive Director of Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD). She also serves on the Board of the Cultural Diplomacy Forum in Türkiye and is a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) of UNESCO’s MOST Programme.

With more than two decades of experience across the Middle East, North Africa, and Türkiye, Samar has led and contributed to initiatives focused on human rights, governance, sustainable development, refugee protection, and civil society strengthening.

Through her leadership of ARDD, the Renaissance Strategic Center, and the Euro-MENA Initiative for Democracy and Development (ARDD Europe), she has played a key role in building platforms that connect research, policy, and practice. Her work promotes locally led development, inclusive governance, evidence-informed policymaking, and community-centered approaches to humanitarian and development challenges. She has also contributed to regional and international dialogue on forced displacement, social justice, localization, and democratic governance, working in partnership with governments, international organizations, academia, and civil society.